Com-J: The “Teaching Newspaper”
Master’s Degree in Community Journalism
Offered through a partnership created by The University of Alabama, The Anniston Star, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
- A career in community journalism
- Admission requirements
- Program requirements
- Experience requirements
- Deadlines to apply
- Cost and benefits
- Student services
- Contact information
A Career in Community Journalism
Most journalists work in community media, but most Americans think of journalism as national media, which they increasingly dislike. The profession needs more people who know and care about how communities work and why they sometimes fail. Skillful, authoritative news coverage and courageous, well-informed editorial leadership must be grounded in knowledge of local issues. That is what Com-J will bring—a new way of developing journalism leadership through a master’s degree program both at a major university and also inside a “teaching newspaper.” Com-J students will experience journalism as vital, ethical, relevant, passionate and creative, even in a world of daunting change. This may be your best chance to make a difference in journalism, in community life and in your own career.Admission Requirements
Students must fulfill all UA Graduate School requirements for the Master of Arts degree (nonthesis track). Visit graduate.ua.edu for information on requirements, application forms and other information. Go to Com-J.ua.edu for more program information or to apply online.
Applicants should have
- A 3.0 grade point average overall or 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours in an undergraduate degree program out of a 4.0-possible grade point average.
- A minimum current (2003 or later) score on the Graduate Record Exam of 1000 (verbal and quantitative).
Program Requirements
The Knight Community Journalism Fellows master’s degree requires a minimum of 33 semester-hours of credit. It will be completed in 12 months, August 16 through August 15. Students must complete all work with at least a “B” average. A professional quality and conceptually rigorous project is required. A thesis is not.
Students must complete the following required courses:
- JN (Journalism) 500 Orientation to Graduate Studies (Subtitle: Grand Rounds in Community Journalism)
MC (Mass Communication) 550 Research Methods
MC 551 Communication Theory
JN 562 Issues in Community Journalism
JN 563 History of Journalism and the First Amendment
JN 590 Directed Studies. Intensive work during a three-week (40-hour week) Interim Term.
JN 597 Master’s Project
Course offerings are subject to change but include topics such as Opinion Writing, Reporting in Depth and Applied Studies to enable students to tailor the course load to their needs and interests.
Experience Requirements
Novices preferred: No prior professional experience is expected. Equipment, workspace, and multimedia classrooms with Internet connections will be provided. Computer skills are recommended.
Deadlines to apply
Ten students will be admitted for the next year.
The application deadline is April 15 for the fall semester. Late applications will be considered, if space remains.
There are no spring or summer admissions.
Costs and benefits
The partners have covered the cost of tuition and fees for the 12-month program. For out-of-state students (including international), this is approximately a $15,000 value.
Students will also receive a monthly stipend of $1,250 per month for 12 months to pay for food and lodging. Reasonable costs associated with program-related assignments will be reimbursed.
Graduates will receive up to $1,500 at year’s end to conduct a job search and up to $1,500 stipend for relocation to employment as a community journalist, if the cost is warranted.
Student Services
Like any other UA graduate students, Knight Community Journalism Fellows will have access to services such as admission and career counseling, course scheduling and tickets to sports and cultural events. The Web site MyBama connects all students with email. The main campus of the University of Alabama is in Tuscaloosa. When in Anniston, students will have digital access to the resources of UA libraries and the use the library at nearby Jacksonville State University.
Contact Information
The University, The Star and The Knight Foundation welcome your interest in becoming a part of this new program, one that holds much promise for American journalism.
If you would like to speak to Chris Waddle, Director, Knight Community Journalism Fellows, call him at 256-235-3590 in Anniston, e-mail him at cwaddle@ua.edu or write him at P.O. Box 125, Anniston, AL 36202.
